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    Toshiba Satellite A100 corrupted BIOS

    Discussion in 'Toshiba' started by krackauer, Nov 4, 2008.

  1. krackauer

    krackauer Newbie

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    Hello everyone,

    I recently updated my BIOS to ver 6.0, on a Toshiba Satellite A100 (model PSAA8E). I used the update tool available for download on the toshiba website. I am certain it was the correct download, it was the only one available for this model no.

    So I fired up the tool, clicked Yes (flash my bios, ruin my day). All steps were completed successfully, including the last one - bios flash complete. I restarted the computer, as prompted by the tool to find out that it gets stuck.

    All it does now is show the Toshiba - Leading Innovation (and bad user support) logo, with a stalled loading bar. If I press F12 - boot-up menu it says Please wait... and nothing more, if I press F2 - Setup, it doesn't even bother to cordially ask for my patience, it just stays like that. If I press Esc I get to see BIOS version 6.0, memory test ok, and the message "No TPM or TPM has a problem". See attachment for screen.

    I found a thread on the toshiba forum which states a similar problem on model number PSAA9E in post # 5. The thread was initially opened for a PSAA8K. I figured why shouldn't this work for my model 8E. I followed the instructions in post #5.

    I am now the proud owner of a Sony USB floppy drive. I can get my laptop to enter bios recovery mode, it starts to beep for a minute, reads the disk and then it becomes silent, fan running persistently. The screen is black the whole time - powerless i think. I left it like that for many hours, after which I decided to plug out the AC cord. Rebooting gave me the same result. No changes when I press the Esc key.

    The bootable floppy disk contained Phlash1614 flashing utility, BIOS version 5.9 (correct .ROM file renamed to bios.wph), minidos.sys and phlash.ini edited with the required changes. All of them, as stated in the instructions on the thread. Obviously, it doesn't like some part of all this.

    Does anyone have any insight into this? I would grately appreciate your help. I don't know what else to do...

    I was thinking, though, that perhaps I should try with BIOS v2.0. Any satellite a100 owners willing to save a copy and send it over? :)

    Please help!

    Regards,
    Flavius
     

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    krackauer, Nov 4, 2008
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  2. Bog

    Bog Losing it...

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    Wow, I feel bad for you. My sister had the same laptop with the exact same problem. It looks like the product of Toshiba's brilliant programmers.

    Her boyfriend tried flashing the BIOS and ended up with the same error; the BIOS was searching for a TPM module that didn't exist to begin with. The laptop is now gathering dust after many failed attempts by several people to reflash the BIOS (even using the USB floppy method). I don't think the issue can be rectified.
     
    Bog, Nov 4, 2008
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